Hospital Bills and the Dursleys

Together, Harry and Ron took an unconscious Dudley into the makeshift tent where the injured were being attended to.

The gash on Dudley's cheek had grown purple from bleeding. His face and arms had multiple scars and injuries. There were boot marks and scratch marks all over him. His eyes were half closed.

Harry looked at Dudley. "Big D. Come on, now. You'll be fine; just open your eyes!"

"Harry, it's ok. We will find help!" Ron assured him, although his face was pale too.

"Oh, dear. This is a dark curse!" Molly said as she spotted the boys and grew pale. "Dark magic! We must take him to St. Mungo's!"

"What happened? Dudley?" George gasped in horror as he hurried over from across the room.

"Now!" Molly said it hurriedly. "It is exceptionally rare for muggles to survive or heal from such dark magic."

Meanwhile, Lucius, Crabbe, and Goyle were tied to a tree. They looked beaten but were grinning like fools.

"There! That should do it!" Hermione said. She slapped the trio for good measure. They spat blood but grinned shamelessly.

"Hermione!" Ginny cried. "Chloe...!"

Pale-faced, Hermione rushed to them. "Oh, no!"

There were cut marks and bruises all over Chloe's face and hands. Her eyes were swollen and had gone purple. She seemed to be gasping in pain. Ginny held Chloe firmly, kneeling down.

"Tell Dudley I love him!" Chloe gasped, holding Ginny's hand tightly as though pleading.

"Nothing will happen to you, Chloe!" Ginny cried.

"Hurry up, Ginny!" Hermione said, grabbing Chloe's arms. Ginny took Chloe's legs.

"You will tell him, eh?" Chloe said.

"Yes, and you will be okay!" Ginny assured her.

"Tell the Aurors to check the Riddle Mansion! Crabbe and Goyle stole money and valuables from my parents after murdering them! Give whatever you find to Dudley if I don't make it!" Chloe fainted after that.

"CHLOE!" The girls bellowed. Hermione and Ginny rushed Chloe to the makeshift tent where the injured were being attended to. They froze when they saw Harry and Ron carrying a brutally injured and unconscious Dudley. Molly was speaking about some dark curse.

Arthur came running. "What happened to Chloe?"

That's when Harry, Ron, Molly, and George turned to stare in horror at Chloe's unconscious form.

"It was Malfoy!" Neville's voice boomed across the tent. "Draco Malfoy dueled with Dudley and shot the dark curse at Dudley. What happened to Clodagh Gabbers?"

"Hermione and I found her dueling Lucius Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle alone!" Ginny said.

"This was after Ginny and I handed Pansy Parkinson over to the Aurors!" Hermione said.

"Dueled Lucius, Crabbe, and Goyle?" Molly repeated in horror, "Three at once?!"

Hermione and Ginny tearfully nodded.

"Wait, what's that in Chloe's pockets?" Neville asked.

Ginny took out a pocket watch and a bracelet.

"Thanks, Neville!" Ginny said. "We'll give this to her once she is conscious."

Neville nodded. "Dursley and Gabbers had nothing to do with any of this. They still fought. True Gryffindors!"

"Chloe is Hufflepuff." Harry said.

"Be that as it may!" Neville smiled. "So, where are they?"

Hermione told Neville where Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle were tied up.

"Thanks, Hermione." Neville said.

"Nicolette!" Harry spotted his American colleague.

"Hiya, Harry!" Nicolette said. "Neville, the news I have is not very good."

Pale in the face, Ron said. "Best get it over with."

"Mrs. Tonks! Critically injured!" Nicolette said this to everyone's shock.

"She fought death eaters herself?" Molly asked, tearing up. "For her age?"

"Yes, she fought Dolohov, Travers, and Pyrites, the latter of whom attacked her from behind. She still kept up, though. Didn't go down easily." Nicolette said. "Harry?"

Harry Potter had collapsed to the ground, his face pale. Trembling and crying, Ginny sat beside him and asked, "Harry?"

"What if anything happens to Andromeda? What's going to happen to Teddy?" Harry gasped, his eyes streaming.

"We will do something about it, I promise, Harry!" Ginny hugged him, crying along.

Hermione had covered her mouth, her eyes streaming. Ron furiously swiped at his running eyes and nose.

"W-Who else?" Molly sobbed.

"Oh, no one else!" Nicolette said this to everyone's relief. "They have one too."

"Who?" Harry looked up at Nicolette, but Neville answered, "Draco Malfoy."

Everybody stared at Neville.

"Are you serious?" Harry asked.

"Harry, this is official. Malfoy has tortured him," Neville pointed out to Dudley. "Whatever happened after that, it seems like the place collapsed on Malfoy! It's a miracle Dursley and Malfoy even survived. Draco Malfoy will have to face additional consequences for attacking muggles."

"Dudley and Chloe need immediate help! Don't delay it!" Molly screeched, making everyone jump. "Medical attention! NOW!"

"Fetch Vernon and Petunia here," Harry said.

Vernon and Petunia were, in no way, a real uncle or aunt. But Harry knew them, and they were Dudley's parents. They had to know their son's whereabouts.

E-Expecto Patronum!" Ron sent his Jack Russell terrier instantly. The silver Jack Russel Terrier majestically swept across the room and outside. "I'll send them emergency portkeys too!"

"I will help you there, George nodded.

Mr. and Mrs. Cruz were shaken but otherwise okay. Mr. and Mrs. Granger, along with Teddy, were taken safely to The Burrow by Percy and Audrey, who had returned as a team and fought the death eaters. Fleur stayed with the Grangers at The Burrow, tending to Teddy.

Arthur Weasley, along with Andromeda Tonks, was grievously injured. He had to be taken to the hospital, along with Dudley and Chloe. Molly's forehead was bleeding, but she seemed okay and was fussing over everyone. Audrey and Percy, bleeding from their arms, helped Bill onto a stretcher. The attack had worsened the scars he had already acquired from Greyback all those years ago, and he was to be rushed to the hospital. Charlie, Ron, and George ran over to help Neville and the Auror team round up the death eaters. Harry, Ginny, and Hermione took the injured to St. Mungos after keeping Chloe's parents' objects safely in The Burrow. Charlie, Ron, and George would join them soon. Molly wanted to join, but Fleur and Audrey convinced her to see off Mr. and Mrs. Cruz. That meant staying with the Cruz's (and resting).

Arthur, Molly, Bill, Charlie, Percy, Audrey, George, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Harry, Dudley, and Chloe were all in St. Mungo's in no time—some for first aid and others for detailed medical assistance.

Draco Malfoy was the only death eater taken to St. Mungo's. Under heavy security, he was allotted a different room guarded by three Aurors. His father and the others were packed off to Azkaban, this time for life. Draco would soon follow.

When the emergency portkey appeared in the garden at the burrow, Petunia and Vernon fell on their buttocks.

"Ouch!" Petunia screeched.

"Ow!" Vernon yelled.

"Dudders!" Petunia sobbed, running into the house in search of her son, Vernon, who was close behind.

"Mr. Dursley. Mrs. Dursley. Come in..." Audrey began politely, but the Dursleys rudely glared at her without any greetings.

"Where is Dudders?"

"Where is our little boy?"

Audrey looked shocked. "Well, come with Percy and me to St. Mungo's."

"What are we waiting for?" Vernon bellowed and took Petunia outside to wait impatiently.

Audrey stared at Percy in bewilderment. With an arm around her waist, Percy chuckled. "Welcome to what it is like to interact with the Dursleys, Audrey! Believe me, they were a million times worse until only about a year ago or so."

The comparatively silent halls at St. Mungo's were disturbed when Petunia showed up, screaming her son's name at the top of her lungs, with Vernon in her wake. Behind them, red-faced, Percy and Audrey mumbled their apologies.

They went to the designated floor and opened the first door forcibly. Arthur, Bill, and Charlie looked up at them.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Dursley." Arthur said politely.

"Where is Dudley?" Vernon asked, panting furiously.

Arthur pointed towards the next door, but before he could speak, the door banged shut.

"Well, rude as ever!" Charlie growled.

"I was going to say 'go straight' but..." Arthur said.

"So inconsiderate! Didn't even bother to enquire about any of us!" Bill said.

"Forget us, not even Harry!" Charlie said in shock. Arthur and Bill shared a look - Charlie did not know this about the Dursleys.

Just then, the door opened and revealed Percy and Audrey.

"You're right, Bill. They're very inconsiderate and rude." Percy shook his head. Audrey took a seat looking shaken as she had never met anyone so rude.

The Dursleys found Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny in the second room and glared around. One look at Harry made him roll his eyes and point to the next room. Without uttering a single word, the Dursleys banged the door shut.

"They won't even ask how their nephew is doing. Their nephew is injured!" George said incredulously as he exited the washroom.

"Don't expect it from them, George." Harry said. "They only care about Dudley. I'll give you 10 galleons if they even remember Chloe."

"They don't?" Ginny asked, horrified.

Harry gave a bark-like laugh.

Ginny looked at Ron and Hermione. They nodded at her as though confirming what Harry said.

Petunia nearly knocked out the third door. "DUDDERS!" She wailed.

Dudley and Chloe lay on two different beds, both unconscious. Fleur looked up in alarm and calmed down when she recognized them.

"Te voilà! I'll wait in the other room." Fleur said politely.

"What happened?" Vernon growled as Petunia grabbed a chair and sat by Dudley.

"Gabbers and Dursley were invited to a wedding. Death eaters attacked." Fleur started.

"Gabbers? Clodagh Gabbers is here?" Petunia asked.

Fleur pointed at Chloe's bed.

"What happened then?" Vernon asked impatiently.

"The situation is under control now. Doctors say Gabbers and Dursley will make a full recovery in no time." Fleur said and left. Vernon glared after her and took a chair beside Petunia.

Meanwhile, Fleur joined Harry and the others. The Dursleys...!" She rolled her eyes.

"I've seen worse from them." Harry shrugged at Fleur's horrified expression.

"They realized Chloe was there only after I pointed out that CHLOE and Dudley were attacked! Fleur said. Harry smirked at George and Ginny's shocked expressions, "Told ya!"

As the sun began bowing down after the seemingly long day, Petunia lifted her head from Vernon's shoulder, sniffling as she heard the door open.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Dursley. I am Neville Longbottom, the Auror handling this case. I am here to inspect the health of the victims," Neville said politely.

"Longbottom? Why does your name sound familiar to me, Mr...?" Petunia asked. "Are you, by any chance, related to 'Lys', the Auror, during the First Wizarding War?"

"How is that important now, Tuney?" Vernon asked.

Neville, however, stared, his eyes wide open. "How do you know Alice Longbottom?"

Petunia shrugged. "You don't have to know."

"Of course I do! First of all, you are Lily Potter's sister, Petunia Dursley, are you not? I know Harry's parents knew my parents back then!" Neville said.

"So, you are probably Lys'... son?" Petunia asked.

Neville stood tall and proud and said, "Indeed!"

"What happened to them? All I heard during Lily and James' funeral was something about them losing their minds." Petunia said.

"MUM!" A voice made everyone jump. Dudley had woken and stared in shock. "Don't be so rude! I am sorry for this, Mr. Longbottom!"

"DUDLEY!" Vernon and Petunia ignored his words and began fussing over him: "How are you now?", "What happened to you?", "Who did this to you?", "You should come with us!"

"Excuse me! As an inspecting Auror, I believe I have the right to proceed with my investigation!" Neville said.

Grumbling, Vernon and Petunia made their way.

"Please give me a moment, Mr. Longbottom," Dudley said.

"Take your time. And I believe you can call me Neville now." Neville said.

"First of all, Mum and Dad," Dudley nodded at Neville, "Alice and Frank Longbottom were heroes that gave away their lives and sanity for a cause—like Aunt Lily and Uncle James. Don't speak so casually and disrespectfully about them. They're right here in this very hospital now." Dudley admonished his parents.

"Secondly, what happened to Chloe?" Dudley looked at Chloe's bed.

"That is exactly what we are going to discuss, Mr. Dursley," Neville said.

"Dudley," Dudley said, "you can call me by my first name too."

"Dudley? Did anyone say, Dudley?" Chloe began.

"Chloe?" Dudley jumped, but Vernon held him tight.

"Dad, let me go!" Dudley protested.

"Dudley, you need your rest. I am here to handle this. I need yours and Miss Gabbers' statements." Neville said.

"Dudley! Where's Dudley?!" Chloe began sobbing.

"Right here, Chloe!" Dudley called out, and Chloe looked at him.

"DUDLEY! What happened to you?" Chloe cried.

"What happened to you, Chloe?" Dudley asked in desperation.

"Precisely! Now, if you two don't mind," Neville turned to Petunia and Vernon, "I am investigating the case. It'd be kind of you to leave."

"How dare you ask us to leave!" Vernon was purple in the face.

"Vernon! He is a policeman! We've got to listen to him or we'll be in trouble!" Petunia dragged him away.

"What about Harry and the others?" Dudley asked.

Neville sighed. "Dudley, if there's one thing you need to know about your cousin, it's his disregard for his own life and safety. He needs constant care and attention. He, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny have overworked themselves during the whole ordeal to fight death eaters and protect everybody. They need weeks of rest now."

"Oh, no!" Chloe said. Dudley shook his head sadly.

"My father's watch! My mother's bracelet!" Chloe sobbed. "And the Riddle Mansion is filled..."

"Rest assured about that," Neville said. "A team of Auroras went and recovered the stolen items. You'll have to come to the Auror's office to identify and collect your valuables. Your signature will be required. As for your pocket watch and bracelet, I believe that is with Ginny."

"What is it? What happened? Where were you, Chloe?" Dudley asked.

"That is what I will need from you. So, let's begin?" Neville asked.

While Chloe and Dudley spoke about everything that happened, often staring at one another in shock, Neville maintained a Quick-Quotes Quill, using which he recorded verbatim everything the duo said. He nodded gravely.

"So, what happens next?" Dudley asked.

"As in, you and Chloe? You both need bed rest, as per the healers. It is likely to be a few days." Neville said.

From his bed, Dudley extended his hand, and Neville shook it. Chloe, too, shook hands with Neville. He advised them not to be stressed and opened the door.

"Ah! Mr. and Mrs. Dursley! Thank you for your cooperation," Neville said and left.

"How are you, Dudders?" Petunia asked.

"Fine, mum, so is Chloe." Dudley smiled reassuringly at his mother.

"Yes, Mrs. Dursley." Chloe said.

Vernon nodded and said, "Listen, Chloe, you don't have to worry about the hospital bills and the medicine bills. Like Dudley's, we have handled yours too!"

"Where had you been?" Dudley inquired.

"To pay your and Chloe's bills, Diddydums!" Petunia purred. "You both are our top priority!"

"That wasn't..." Dudley said.

"Nonsense! You're our son, Dudley! And your young friend, Chloe, is no different from us!" Vernon said.

"We stick by our family when needed!" Petunia spoke proudly.

"Is that so? How much did the three of our bills cost?" Dudley enquired.

"Dudley?" Chloe asked.

"No, wait, Chloe," Dudley said.

"Three? I don't understand, Dudders!" Petunia said. Vernon shrugged.

"Harry Potter! Your nephew, Mum! You said you 'stick by family', is it not?" Dudley asked.

There was a stunned silence. Just then, Harry Potter entered.

"Um, sorry to disturb you people. Big D. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were going to pay for you and Chloe, but it seems like the bills are already paid. I am paying for Ginny, Ron, Hermione, and myself from the Potter vault at Gringotts. I had suggested that I pay for you and Chloe. That is when I found out. Have a good day, Aunt Petunia. Uncle Vernon." Harry said pleasantly and left.

The silence was suffocating for Vernon and Petunia as they stared at each other. Suddenly, Dudley's and Chloe's eyes were bright and dazzling, as if miniature suns had replaced those eyes. Vernon and Petunia hung their heads in shame, unable to meet Dudley's and Chloe's eyes.

"I think I can pay for Cloe and myself, thank you," Dudley said.

"What are you saying, Dudders?" Petunia began tearing up.

"HARRY!" Dudley called out, and his cousin opened the door.

"Umm, are you done talking?" He asked pleasantly. "I was waiting outside for you to finish."

"Harry, do you mind transferring Chloe's and my bill amounts from the Dursley vault at Gringotts? I need to return that amount to whoever lent it to me." Dudley said coldly.

Harry stared from Dudley to Chloe to his aunt and uncle. Petunia had begun weeping, and Vernon had resumed glaring.

"Is there a problem, Big D?" He asked. "It looks like Uncle Vernon paid..."

"PLEASE do as I said, Harry." Dudley interrupted.

"Dudders, please don't do this to us! Vernon, don't accept the money!" Petunia began sobbing loudly.

The noise attracted the attention of Ginny, Ron, and Hermione, who came running into the room.

"What's wrong?" Ginny said in alarm.

"Is everything okay?" Ron said wide-eyed.

"Chloe? Dudley?" Hermione asked.

"Everything is fine, guys. My simple request is to deduct the bill amounts for Chloe and me from my vault and hand it over to Mr. and Mrs. Dursley." Dudley said coldly.

"FINE! Tell us what we should do! But don't do this to us! Don't push us away, Dudders!" Petunia buried her head in Vernon's shoulder as he glared at Dudley.

"PAY for Harry! Maybe even Ginny!" Dudley said.

"WHAT?" Vernon bellowed.

"Shh! Or else you'd have to pay for Ron and Hermione too!" Dudley said in fury.

"It is all right. You need not pay for us." Harry said. "Please do not fight!"

"You do not get into the middle of this!" Vernon glared at Harry, thus having three wands from Ron, Hermione, and Ginny pointed at him. He began whimpering.

"Take your money back, or pay for Harry and..." Dudley said. Ginny, Hermione, and Ron stowed their wands away.

"Just Harry!" Ginny said, red in the face. "My mum and dad are capable enough of paying for me."

"Fine!" Dudley said. Chloe had gone pale as she stared at the proceedings.

Petunia lifted her head from Vernon's shoulder, "Just do it, Vernon! I don't want to lose Dudders!"

"As an Auror, injuries are not new to me. I can manage." Harry said, not wanting to be involved in the situation. But Vernon stomped past him angrily, and Petunia sniffled in the room. As Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny exchanged shocked glances, Vernon stomped back with a bill, "HERE!"

Dudley gave a nod of approval, and Chloe heaved a sigh of relief. She hadn't wanted any kind of rift to develop between Dudley and his parents. Nor did she want Harry to be neglected as always.

"While paying his bill," Vernon pointed at Harry, "I saw their father paying for them." He indicated Ron and Ginny.

"Umm, well, Hermione," Harry said.

"Harry, as dentists, my parents can easily afford my medicines," Hermione said pleasantly. "I am sure they're paying already!"

Dudders, please come home! Enough of this wizarding world and it's drama! Petunia cried.

"Mum, I'm here to start a new life. My own! Please allow me to! Chloe and I will visit sometime!" Dudley promised her.

"Why not with us?" Vernon asked.

"Dad, we need to recover first. You and Mum go home. We'll be fine. We will visit you." Dudley nodded. "Just don't forget that Harry is your nephew. Treat him like one. Both of you."

Petunia and Vernon nodded and left the room without meeting anyone's eyes.

"Big D?" Harry said, "That was unnecessary."

"Oh, it was! It is about time they start treating you decently, Harry!" Dudley said. "I am tired of listening to people abusing them and they show not the slightest hint of changing for the better! How long can I defend them if they aren't willing to change for the good?"

Two Healers walked in just then, "Can all of you go back to your assigned beds, please? Do not cause a commotion."

Harry met eyes with Dudley and nodded at him. Dudley smiled weakly. Harry nodded at Chloe and followed Ginny, Ron, and Hermione back to their room.